The Child Development Division (CDD) has a few updates we wanted to share with you.
- Updated COVID-19 Health Guidance – Masking in Vehicles
- Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP) Rate Increase
- BFIS Help Desk Website – New Look Coming!
- Job Opportunity – Licensing Field Specialist I
Updated COVID-19 Health Guidance - Masking in Vehicles
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rules have changed on masking and transportation. Effective February 25, 2022, the CDC does not require wearing masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/child care programs.
This change applies to all regulated child care programs transporting children and other agencies that hold a transportation-related contract or grant with the State of Vermont.
Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP) Rate Increase
On February 13, 2022, the new child care financial assistance rates successfully went into effect (see our blog post for more details), and families are benefiting from the increase in child care payments.
We wanted to provide some additional information that may assist you in determining payment rates for the families in your program.
- Child care providers cannot set a higher tuition rate for families eligible for CCFAP than they set for private pay families.
- Child care providers do not have to collect a co-payment (partial or full) from families to accept the State rate.
- Child care providers are allowed to subsidize private pay families with scholarships, etc.
If you have questions about the new Child Care Provider Rate Schedule (*link no longer available), please contact the CCFAP at AHS.DCFCDDCCFAPPayments@vermont.gov.
BFIS Help Desk Website - New Look Coming!
The Bright Futures Information System (BFIS) Help Desk website is getting a new look!
The BFIS Help Desk website is a tool for BFIS users to request password resets, get their account unlocked, or request a new account when using the standard ‘Forgot Password’ or ‘First Time Login’ features do not provide the assistance you need. The new website will continue to offer the same services, allowing you to submit requests.
We anticipate the new site being available in the coming weeks. Once available, we will send a follow-up email with additional details about how to use the new site.
If you have any questions, please contact the BFIS Help Desk at bfis.help@vermont.gov.
Job Opportunity - Licensing Field Specialist I
The Licensing Field Specialist I position works in the Child Care Licensing Unit of the Child Development Division as a home-based position. The Child Care Licensing Unit is responsible for regulating center-based child care, afterschool care, family child care, and prekindergarten programs in Vermont. A Licensing Field Specialist I is responsible for:
- Compliance monitoring,
- Complaint investigations,
- Providing technical assistance, and
- Case managing licenses.
We have a diverse team that relies on teamwork and collaboration. We welcome applicants with different and/or unique backgrounds, experiences, and/or perspectives to join our team. We are seeking an individual who is reliable, takes initiative, manages stress well, is adaptable, and is self-motivated. The right candidate will also have strong written and interpersonal communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Candidates will need to be able to use sound judgment to make decisions based on pertinent facts gathered and analyzed. It is required that candidates live between the towns of Hartford, Bethel, Ludlow, and Springfield, Vermont. If you live in the identified area, have the child development knowledge and expertise as well as skills involved in providing regulatory oversight, and have a confidential space in your home to conduct state business, we invite you to apply for this Licensing Field Specialist I position.
If you would like more information about this position, please contact Donna Lopiccolo at donna.lopiccolo@vermont.gov.
Application Date: 3/20/2022